America Needs A Leader Like This!Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia and her Queen at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his Ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state, and its laws were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you", he said on Nation al Television

"I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia : one the Australian law and another Islamic law that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country, which practices it, perhaps, then, that's a better option", Costello said.

Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should "clear off. Basically people who don't want to be Australians, and who don't want, to live by Australian values and understand them, well then, they can basically clear off", he said.

Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote: "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians."

"However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the 'politically correct' crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia ." "However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand." "This idea of Australia being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And as Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle."

"This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom"

"We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!"

"Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture."

"We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us."

"If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all means, keep your culture, but do not force it on others.

"This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'."

"If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted."

Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, American citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths.

One of the principles that this country was founded on was the acceptence of immigrants. Thats how we all got here after all.

Our ancestors came here for freedom of religion and the right to persue a better life. With them came people who were interested in change, if the US stays exactly the same generation after generation we will be in trouble. Things always must change.

Part of it depends on what philosophy you adopt about America. Do you think it is a Melting Pot where everyone comes here and must conform in all ways. Or do you think it is a Mosaic, create from all of our unique differences. Personally I prefer to think of it as a mosaic, I don't think that people should need to conform to everything we do just to live here. After all what has made this country great is all of the influences we have gotten from immigrants over the generations, if you think back far enough we are all decedants of immigrants so try not to seperate yourself from that fact.

Now that doesn't mean I agree with everything people complain about but now that they are here they do have the right to complain and we have the right to ignore them if we want. Its part of what being an American is all about.

"This idea of America being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language, and our own lifestyle"

The multi cultural aspect of America is what created OUR culture. There was no American Culture or lidestyle until the Irish, Germans, Norweigen, Scots, Sweeds, Russian, Hispanic, British, etc. came here and melded to create it.

I am personally Christian and obviously have no problem with religious refrences being visisble where ever they might be. But you do have to recognize the conflict that the founding fathers created. This country was founded as "One nation under God" and as a nation who believes "In God We Trust" but it was also created with a "Seperation of church and state" I think they should have been a little more clear on that from day one since the way things are written both views are correct.

I find the irony funny that people are so mad that people complain about the things that might offend them. But thats what you are doing. You are bothered by those complaining and in turn you are complaining about them. Thats great you have that right, but so do the people you are saying should leave. If you think they should leave instead of complain, then it stands to reason that you should hop on board the ship along with them. Where would you like to go? I hear that Mongolia is nice this time of year.

You have a particualr view point and if people don't want to fall in line with that you think they should consider leaving. But what about the other AMERICANS that hold a different view point, should they call on you to leave?

I am just addressing the first post in the thread. We all can disagree about things, we can complain about the things we don't like but in the end we are all Americans (ignoring the illegal immigrant issue) and we all have that right. So complain away about people not conforming like you think they should.

In general I don't think as many people are complaining about America as you might think. Its just that the media likes to make sure everyone hears about the few that are.

I have mixed views on this issue. But, there are 3 things that I think all of us should uphold. English is the national language, the flag is our nation flag, and our founding fathers believed in God. As Americans, whether you were born here or are an immigrant (people who have chosen this country & it values because it offers choices and a better life), I believe it is our duty to have respect for the historical representation of the founders of this great nation, which includes the word God, a national flag and a chosen language for the USA.

Being that our founding fathers...the men who started this country on the road to being a place where immigrants are accepted and can live free and have flourishing lives...valued God in such a way as to put the word in the pledge, national anthem, on buildings and on the currency that it is disrespectful to THEM to change it. Everyone who lives or moves here knows that it is the blood, sweat, and lives of the people who started this country that allow us our liberties. Therefore, I believe that their belief in God is what we are paying tribute to NOT the fact that society has changed and that not everyone is Christian or believes in their God. I do believe that people have the right to chose their religion or to not believe in anything at all. As Americans, or immigrants (people who have chosen this country because it offers the choices and a better life) I believe it is our duty to have respect for this countries historical representations of this great nations founders which includes the word God, is represented by our flag and the chosen language of USA.

I think that our schools should teach ALL religions/cultural differences. That includes Christianity (how can you discuss history with out it...?). So much of history Roman empire, the conflicts between Ireland, Scotland and England were based on Christianity and other religious conflicts - and it continues through today. It is impossible to discuss any aspect of important historical events without bringing up religion.

In regards to our national flag - I think that people can honor any national flag, but to be offended by this country's flag well it's unacceptable. Other flags are not representations of the struggles of this country - the United States. Our National Symbol - the flag of the United States - should be displayed on all national/state and public buildings...with the exception of foreign embassies who should display the flag of the country they represent, religious or private establishments (except when chosen to do otherwise by the proprietors). I also think that the people who do proudly display this country's flag should know the established rules regarding it's display and respect these traditions.

Lastly, the national language is ENGLISH. I understand the acceptance of a multi-cultural community, and that the majority of people living in the United States are decedents of immigrants... On that note lets not forget that our families came to this country from ALL over the world and had enough respect for this country to struggle to learn the national language. I know that it was not easy for my grandparents, great-grandparents/ aunts and uncles to learn the language, but they struggled (were even made fun of for not speaking the language) and did so because they accepted it as this countries language. One of my grandparents said he did it because he respected the country and the people who made this country free for him to come here. I wish that all immigrants valued this sentiment!

Spanish is not this countries national language...no matter how many immigrants that come to the US speak Spanish it is there job to learn the language. Spanish is the national language of Mexico, Spain and some other countries. I would never presume to move there and expect everyone to learn my language so I could get by - NOR do I suspect (base on experience) that they would allow it!!!